Pune is a plateau which is situated at an altitude of 570
meters high in the Sahyadri hills near the west coast of
India. Pune is a fascinating city with a bracing climate and
healthy environment. Pune is the wonderful base to enjoy the
holidays in the rugged low-lying hills, forts and
horticultural and botanical gardens. It has a fine race course
as well. The Ganesh festival is also celebrated here on a
grand scale.

History of Pune

Poona or Pune was
the capital of the powerful Maratha empire and was closely
associated with the great warrior King Shivaji. Shivaji,
Peshwas and Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak also carried on their
activities from Pune. Later, in 1818, it was annexed by the
British East India Company in the battle of Koregaon. Today,
Pune is a busy, bustling town, distinctly divided into the
spacious cantonment and the crowded old city, where localities
are known after days in the week.

Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute
Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute was
built in Oriental style in picturesque
surroundings at the foot of the Law College
hill. This institute has a museum which
displays nearly 20,000 manuscripts collected
by Bolhar, Kiehorn and Bhandarkar.

Bund Gardens
Bund Gardens are situated about 2 kms. away
from the railway station. These attractive
gardens are situated on the right bank of Mula
– Mutha river.

Central Water, Power, Irrigation and
Navigation Research Institute
Central Water, Power, Irrigation and
Navigation Research Institute is located below
the Khadakvasla irrigation dam on the Mutha
river. This institute conducts research work
on local problems of land drainage,
reclamation and hydro – dynamics. It is known
for its large scale experiments on taming of
the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Brahmaputra.

Chaturshringi Temple
Chaturshringi Temple is dedicated to the
Goddess Ambreswari (Durga). During Navartra, a
big fair is held in this temple.

Empress Gardens
Empress Gardens covers an area of 4 hectares
of land with artistically laid out trees,
flowers and other flora.

Agha Khan Palace
Mahatma Gandhi, along with his wife Kasturba
and Mahadeobhai Desai, was imprisoned in the
Agha Khan Place in the 1942 Quit India
Movement. Now, marble memorials of Kasturba
Gandhi and Mahadeobhai Desai hace been erected
who died here.

National Defence Academy
National Defence Academy is situated at
Khadakasla, about 17 kms. from Pune. This
institute provides basic training to officer
cadets of all the three branches of the
defence services in the Army, Navy and Air
Force.

Parvati Hill and Temples
A broad flight of 108 steely rising steps,
lead to an imposing Nagarkhana drum house
which is the entrance to an octagonal
enclosure which houses the historical temple
of Parvati and Devadeshwar. From the top one
can have a panoramic view of Pune.

Pataleshwar Caves
Pataleshwar Caves are a rock cut cave temple
dedicated to Pataleshwar, god of the nether
world. This temple has huge pillars and a
Shiva shrine with a Nandi, cut from a single
rock.

Vishrambag WadaVishrambag Wada is a three storey mansion
which is 78 meters broad and 66 meters long.
Vishrambag Wada is known for its beautiful
entrance, surrounded by a balcony.

Raja Kelkar Museum
Raja Kelkar Museum has a collection of rare
historical exhibits like lamps, nutcrackers,
musical instruments from Mughal and Maratha
periods. A masterpiece among the exhibits is
the Mastani Mahal which was brought and
erected as it was from its original place.

Bharat Ittihas Samshodhak
Mandal
Bharat Ittihas Samshodhak Mandal was devoted
to historical research institute. This
institute was founded in 1910 by V.K. Rajwade,
a pioneer in the subject and a well known
scholar. The Arts section includes more than
1400 exhibits of old paintings, illustrated
manuscripts, maps and charts, Mughal,
Nizamshahi and Maratha weapons, Persian and
English documents.

How to get there

By Air:The nearest airport is situated in Pune, about 8 km. from
City Centre.

By Rail:The nearest railway station is situated about 2 km. from
Pune city centre..

By Road:Pune are directly connected by road to Nasik, Thane and
Kolhapur.